CAPE HATTERAS, N.C. (WNCN/AP) — Some areas of the North Carolina Outer Banks are now being powered by generators and digging crews have now reached the damaged underground power line so it can be examined, officials announced Saturday afternoon.

One of the cables that were cut. Photo from Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Tideland EMC announced Saturday afternoon that “all circuits are energized” on Ocracoke Island via three emergency mobile generators that arrived on the island Thursday and Friday.

Also, Hatteras, Frisco, Buxton and Avon are receiving temporary power via generators after a massive power outage that drove tourists from two North Carolina islands starting Thursday.

“The occasional maintenance outage is to be expected from time to time but our goal is to keep them brief,” Tideland officials said in a news release. “At this time we are not operating on a rotating service schedule and all circuits are energized.”

Still, people on the islands have been asked to avoid using air conditioning and other appliances.

“The success of operating the island on generator power depends entirely on residents and visitors observing the strictest conservation habits possible,” Tideland EMC officials said.
The outage was wiping out a significant chunk of the lucrative summer months for local businesses after a mandatory evacuation order.

One of two 2-megawatt generators is providing power for Howard’s Pub, Gaffers, a fire station, a variety store, Anchorage, Jolly Roger, a water plant, Fish House, NC CAT, Howard Street, South Ferry Terminal and British Cemetery areas.

The exact kind of power line that was damaged. There are three of them underground. Photo from Tideland EMC. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The other generator will be used to supply power to areas such as Ocracoke School, a health clinic, Flying Melon, Fire House Road, Pony Island, Oyster Creek and Jackson Dunes, Hyde County officials said.

Early Saturday, Hyde County officials also said that the North Carolina DOT Ferry Division reported that they had evacuated 3,704 people and 1,372 cars.

There is currently no wait time at the ferry terminals, Hyde County officials said.

Emergency management officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for Hatteras Island visitors because of a widespread power outage that has already prompted thousands of tourists to leave Hatteras and neighboring Ocracoke Island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

The Dare County Department of Emergency Management said in a statement Friday that the evacuation order is mandatory for all visiting Hatteras Island effective at 6 a.m. Saturday. It includes the island villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras.

The area where the power line was damaged and repair work is taking place. Tideland EMC photo. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Officials say they took that step as a safety precaution and because of growing uncertainty as to when repairs to a major transmission line would be complete. The statement says properly credentialed residents and non-resident property owners, along with essential personal and some others, would be allowed to remain. The evacuation order doesn’t include any areas north of Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks.

The county’s emergency management department says it’s continuing to work with utility officials to restore power to levels that would allow visitors to eventually return.